Unknown Horizons by Ruth Kibler Peck & Ruth Kibler Peck

Author:Ruth Kibler Peck & Ruth Kibler Peck [Brusaw, Ted & Peck, Ruth Kibler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781543452426
Publisher: Xlibris US
Published: 2017-09-28T04:00:00+00:00

Deciding that they had one more canoe than they needed to carry supplies, the captains ordered it hidden in a nearby grove of cottonwood trees where they could retrieve it on their return trip. The men put damp goods out in the sun to dry as Captain Lewis recorded the latitude and longitude of the location. Sunflowers and thistles, as well as a variety of rye grass that grew three feet tall, grew everywhere.

Shannon still had not returned, and Captain Clark sent Reuben Fields out in search of him. When Fields returned alone, they decided to pack up their goods and continue, assuming that Shannon would find them. A summer storm arose, but the party continued, passing smooth prairie on each side of the very crooked river. After seven miles, they camped, and the hunters finally brought in two deer, to everyone’s great relief.

At sunrise, the group set out again, having seen nothing of Shannon. Clark had developed a boil on one ankle, which was swollen and inflamed, causing him to limp in pain. Gass, Charbonneau, and several of the other men complained of various ailments. Everyone was exhausted, weakening their ability to stay healthy. As their energy level sank, morale began to suffer as well. Sacagawea lifted the spirits of the group when she recognized a plain as being near her tribe’s summer camping ground.

“My people will be either on this river or on the river west of here,” she told Lewis through the convoluted translation chain.

Lewis turned to Clark. “In that case, I think we should send out another greeting party, this time to stay out until they contact the Shoshones,”

“I’ll be ready to leave in the morning,” Clark responded.

“Not with your swollen ankle, my friend. You stay here in charge of the main party while I take your place in the search.”

Clark started to protest, but he knew Lewis was right.

Lewis lowered his voice. “This is a do-or-die situation. If we don’t get Shoshone horses and a Shoshone guide, our mission could end in these mountains.” He glanced toward Sacagawea. “I hope they’ll welcome us. They should because they need contact with white men so they can arm themselves to protect their people from the Blackfoot and Hidatsas.”

“Of course we aren’t bringing guns now,” Clark said softly, “only the promise to bring them later. Actually, we need the Shoshones more than they need us right now. In the long run, that situation will reverse, but convincing them may be one of our greatest challenges—if we can find them.”

“Then let’s pray that we make contact this time,” Lewis said.

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